Worshippers gathered and gave the glory to God on Sunday, while also taking time to remember over two dozen people killed in a mass shooting at the church in November 2017.

"Evil did not win" has become the motto of First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. On Sunday congregants wore t-shirts with the phrase hashtagged on the back. 

The dedication of the new sanctuary began with worship, and the ringing of the church's bell after each victim's name was read out.

"The bell was something that, every Sunday morning, the kids would run to me, race to me to see who would get to me first, who could ring the bell to let Sunday school know that it was time for church to start," Pastor Frank Pomeroy said.

"Many of the children that rang that bell are no longer with us. Our shooter had the propensity to seek out children. And for that reason, that bell means even more to me than it did previously."

Pomeroy's own 14-year-old daughter was among the 26 people killed in the shooting. Pomeroy told his denomination after the shooting that holding services in the old sanctuary would be too painful for everyone.

Texas governor Greg Abbott was in attendance and spoke to the worshippers. "The opening of this new worship centre ushers in a new era of healing for this congregation and for the entire town of Sutherland Springs," he said.

"I have no doubt that God will continue to work through this community to write the next chapter for the remarkable and faithful people of Sutherland Springs. That is why we do not gather in grief, but instead, we gather in hope, and we join together to celebrate the new beginning of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs."

According to KENS 5, Pastor Frank Pomeroy said they have not decided what they will do with the old building. He said it will be the church's decision. However, Pomeroy said, regardless of what is decided, the ground will always be hallowed.